Well, here's to 2013; it's been a good one:



^^started out the year right with the fam


^^went to a Jazz game...probably the only one they won all season


^^attended a cross-country ski race #cultured


^^spent a few days in NYC


^^channelled Mary-Kate and Ashley for a party


^^scored tickets to TedXBYU



^^finished my first and second semesters in the Strategy program


^^bought my first car and named him Jarvis


^^went to Zion National Park with these lovely ladies


^^road tripped across the USA


^^weddings, weddings, weddings


^^interned for Goldman Sachs


^^hiked and hiked and hiked


^^jetted off to Puerto Rico


^^went to Peach Days


^^celebrated these two kids 64th wedding anniversary


^^tried to be all artsy with my photos



^^explored Seattle


^^hung out with these guys


^^moved into a new apartment


^^finally took the campus tour with Mama Lo



If there's one thing this family does well it's game night. It doesn't matter who's home, where we're at, or why we're all together, we play until the cows come home. This Christmas break has been no different. My brother and his family came and so did Papa Lo's parents along with the usual crew. We have our normal set of games that we play: Trivial Pursuit, Loaded Questions, Scattergories, and Apples to Apples. But this year Nate and I both introduced new games to the family.

Nate brought Telestrations, a combination of Telephone and Pictionary. It's amazing how one board can start as one thing and end up as something completely different after it's made its trip around the table. At one point "Tebow Time" became "No praying"--we're still trying to figure that one out. Each round ended with us in a fit of laughter. Telestrations is definitely a keeper.



I introduced my family to Bohnanza, an interesting game all about trading, planting, and selling beans. I first played Bohnanza with some friends at BYU and loved it. It's a chance to flex your negotiation muscles which I really enjoy. This game can get heated, so be warned! Everyone seems to take on a persona when playing Bohanaza. It's interesting to see how everyone reacts and the strategy they assume to win. Again, a definite must to have in the game closet.



A few weeks ago I finished The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. I was a little sad when I finished; it felt like I was saying goodbye to a good friend. I read a lot...a lot and this was one of the best books I have ever read.

I have seen the movie more times than I can count and was expecting something very similar. The further I got into the plot the more apparent it became that this was going to be a very different experience from the movie, so if you want to use the movie as a reference you should pick a different book. Part of me was hoping the two would be similar because the plot gets complicated.

Dumas has a wonderful ability to spin a very complex story. His characters have incredible depth and personality. Monte Cristo's desire for revenge is palpable in the first few chapters of the book. The author's attention to detail is enviable. Several times during my read I had to look up the characters on Wikipedia because I couldn't remember who was who and who was in love with, etc. 

The Count of Monte Cristo is wonderful book. It's full of adventure, revenge, and provides a glimpse of French society. It's a quick read unlike some of the other classics. By all accounts, I think it should be on everyone's book list. 

I am in the process of re-decorating my room. Maybe re-decorating isn't the right word... I am continuing to decorate my room :) The next area that I think I want to tackle is framed pictures for my walls. They're pretty bare right now and the horrible wallpaper in my apartment isn't helping. I think I just want to hang a few prints that I found on Pinterest (you know the old trick of having it printed at Kinkos so it doesn't cost a zillion dollars?), but I'm having trouble narrowing down the four or five that I want:





















This is why I currently don't have anything on my walls...I like too many things!




It's finals week: The week that university students dread all semester long. My desire to study has been even less than in past semesters. Senioritis, anyone? It's only been two days and already I've watched an disproportionate amount of movies and TV shows. Clearly I do not want to study....

Movies and TV shows watched since Monday morning:

  • The Mindy Project
  • Grey's Anatomy
  • Revenge
  • Some Disney Christmas special
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Sleeping Beauty
  • Princess and the Goblin
  • So You Think You Can Dance
  • Castle
Yeah, I've got my hardest final tomorrow...


I am OBSESSED with So You Think You Can Dance. Sadly, this show ended over the summer and doesn't start again until May! Um, c'mon NBC, let's get that going again please. I've had to feed my addiction with clips on YouTube. I mean, it's great, but it's just not the same. And I find myself watching the same ones. Like this one:


It makes me so sad that I don't dance. Oh, and Paul is a total fox. 

Should I be studying for my finals? Absolutely. I have two huge projects due in the next few days and yet I am still in my bed dreaming of NYC at Christmas-time. If I had my way I would be booking a ticket to the Big Apple right now. Instead I am perusing Pinterest and happily pinning away pictures of the illustrious city, hoping that one day I'll be skating around the trees at Rockefeller Center. I'll sip hot cocoa as I wander aimlessly through Central Park before turning down 5th Avenue and peer at all the irresistibly chic window displays of stores I'll never shop in. By then it'll be dinner time so I'll track down a local hotspot and tuck in for a meal that spreads warmth through my body as I people watch through the window. It'll be a perfect day...one straight out of You've Got Mail. If only...






Have you ever played the game desert island? You know the one. "You're trapped on a desert and you can only bring five movies. Go!" While in college I've developed another version and have been playing it with friends for years.

Here's how the game goes:
What five people, dead or alive, would you have lunch with? 

Caveats:
  1. You cannot choose religious persons from your religion.
  2. You do not have to have lunch with all five people at the same time.
  3. You may choose people from the same 'genre' for all five people if you wish (e.g. all actors).
I love this game! It is so interesting to see who everyone else chooses. My Lunch Five is constantly changing, well not constantly, but it does change often. I have a solid two that always stay and the other two to three fluctuate. 

Here are my five:


Claude Monet
"Claude, you're my favorite artist. Tell me, where did you find your inspiration?"
I love love love Monet's work! They way he plays with light is so enchanting. 
Lunch: The Gardens at Giverny and a mountain of macaroons  



Julie Andrews
"Ms. Andrews, let me personally apologize for NBC's remake of your iconic role." 
Julie Andrew is the epitome of class and grace. I don't think I've seen a film of hers that I don't like. It broke my heart when she had surgery on her vocal chords, leaving her unable to sing like she used to. 
Lunch: Los Angeles Botanical Gardens



Kate Middleton
"Kate! I have a state dinner next week; could I borrow that Jenny Packham dress you wore to the BAFTAs last year?"
Middleton is my style icon! She brings elegance and class to a modest wardrobe, which is extremely commendable. Plus, Kate and Prince William are absolutely adorable! And her hair is to die for. 
Lunch: Kate's kitchen at Anmer Hall



Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Dr King, your letter from Birmingham Jail changed me life. Can you tell me more about it?"
The picture of strength and poise, Dr. King has always had my utmost respect. This amazing man changed the lives of thousands and fought an unfair system with words and peaceful protests. He is one of the most admiral men. 
Lunch: A perfect lunch would also include Nelson Mandela and some fine Southern cooking. 



Bill Cosby
"Mr. Cosby, where did you buy your sweaters? I want them all."
Bill Cosby is one of the most hilarious people to walk this green earth! I would love to talk about the Cosby Show, his parenting style, and his sweaters. 
Lunch: A swanky restaurant in Midtown, NYC. 


So, who are you going to lunch with?


Hello, amazing video! I mean holy pipes! These people are so incredibly talented. If I could just sing like that one day, ONE DAY, in my life. Gosh, I'm in awe! And that girl has AMAZING hair!


Oh my heavens! I think I am still full from Thanksgiving! The fam came out from Dixie and we immediately began feasting as soon as their plane touched down :) Every year I convince myself that I'm not going to eat everything in sight, but then I think, "There's no calories on holidays! I bet I could eat that whole pie!"

This year was no different. There was just so much delicious food that I couldn't help it! Mama Lo and Aunt Kris just kept cooking and cooking and cooking! Then I went to Grandma's and there was more cooking :) Everything you can imagine was available for consumption:

  • Pumpkin pie (obviously)
  • Turkey
  • Mashed potatoes 
  • Pumpkin mashed potatoes
  • Cherry pie
  • Banana cream pie
  • Strawberry rhubarb pie
  • Green bean casserole
  • Stuffing
  • Rolls
  • Cranberry sauce
  • Candy, candy, candy
  • Fried rice
  • Chicken parmesan
  • Chocolate milk 
  • Tortellini 
  • Spaghetti
This is just the list I can remember! I'm  not going to need to eat again until Christmas! Tune in next time for a post about all the shenanigans of the Lopez family in Utah :)  
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